The scene was
one of chaos,
sorrow and utter
disbelief just
minutes after the
incident occurred
and the bodies of
the dead were left
lying on the grass
near the wreck.
The injured
Ramgopaul was
rushed to the
Georgetown Public
Hospital in an
unconscious state.
He sustained
severe injuries to
his head and was
covered in blood.
At the hospital
many of the man's
relatives gathered
as they awaited
word from the
doctors who were
working tirelessly
on him in the
emergency room.
However his
injuries were far
too serious for
much action to be
taken. He died a
little before 3 pm
without regaining
consciousness.
At the scene,
persons scampered
to get a
first-hand look of
the carnage even
as police awaited
barricades, which
they hastily put
up when they
eventually
arrived. Due to
the state of the
car and the hut it
appeared virtually
impossible for
anyone to survive.
The chair that the
security guard was
sitting in was
covered in blood
and its right side
was broken. The
guard's red cap
was lying a few
metres away. The
engine of the car
was flung from the
hood of the car on
impact and came to
rest just behind
where the hut once
stood.
After some
time, some of the
bodies were
carried away and
as relatives
arrived at the
site, screams
resounded and
tears flowed.
Acting
Commissioner of
Police, Henry
Greene, who was at
the scene declared
that the accident
was
"sad"
and
"unfortunate".
He alluded to the
Linden crash and
called on citizens
to be conscious
when using the
roadways.
As onlookers
recalled the
Linden tragedy,
many expressed
disbelief.
"Them man
them ain't taking
their time",
one man declared.
Savita Singh,
the Singhs'
sister-in-law told
reporters that her
relatives were
going to Parika.
She said that Anil
had been driving
for a couple of
years. Another
relative, in
expressing his
disbelief said
that Anil did not
drink alcohol and
he had told him to
be careful.
Grief,
disbelief and pain
were evident at
all the victims'
homes when
Stabroek News
visited as
relatives gathered
and tents were
being set up to
keep 'wakes'.
At the Singh's
home yesterday
numerous relatives
gathered and grief
was visible in
every face. Anil
who was an
auto-electrician
and Renika were
described as
persons who never
showed "bad
face". Their
60-year-old
mother, upon
hearing of the
accident had to be
taken to the
hospital after
collapsing. The
Singhs leave to
mourn their
mother, two
brothers and other
relatives.
Meanwhile at
the Bacchus's
dwelling,
Famheda's father,
Shiraz, told
Stabroek News that
he was sleeping
when a relative
came and informed
him that there had
been an accident
and his daughter
was involved.
"I couldn't
believe it
though", the
grief-stricken man
said. He later saw
the scenes on
television. The
distressed man
lamented his
daughter's demise
noting that she
had been eight
months pregnant.
"Next month I
woulda been a
grandfather
boy", he
stated adding that
his only daughter
was "the most
loving person that
it got
around". He
said that Famheda
had been a teacher
until she got
pregnant. She and
Anil had started
living together
over a year ago.
She leaves to
mourn her parents,
brother and other
relatives.
Alasie's father
Ravindra learnt
that his only
daughter was
involved in an
accident when he
looked at the
television. While
he did not
recognize her, the
news that she had
succumbed was
shortly after
broken to him. He
last saw his
daughter when her
aunt Famheda came
to collect her to
take her to Parika
and he did not get
to tell her
goodbye.
The Annandale
Secondary school
student was
described as
"very bright,
quiet and
mannerly".
She leaves to
mourn her parents,
brother and other
relatives.
Unable to hold
back tears,
Sheerza's father,
Sunil recalled his
daughter's aim to
do well in the
National Grade Six
examination and
attend Queen's
College. He was at
work when his son
came to tell him
that Sheerza had
been in an
accident. On the
way to the site,
he was informed
that she had died.
He recalled that
he last saw his
daughter early
yesterday morning
and had wanted to
tell her not to go
to Parika but
didn't get the
chance. The Mon
Repos Primary
School student was
described as
talkative and as a
person who liked
to make jokes. The
fourth of six
siblings, she
leaves to mourn
her parents,
siblings and other
relatives.
When Stabroek
News visited
Ramgopaul's home,
persons there said
that they did not
have details and
were awaiting his
relatives.
